Free-Roaming and Feral Cats

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) does not endorse or oppose the concept of establishing properly managed cat colonies utilizing trap-neuter-return (TNR) techniques. However, if a municipal government wishes to allow managed cat colonies, they should develop standards through ordinances for the proper and managed operation of such colonies, based on the guidelines below, that would provide accountability and oversight by the Health Officer and animal control officers.

Cats are domesticated animals that are not indigenous wildlife in North America. However, over the years some domesticated cats have been abandoned and become "feral". Feral animals are domestic animal species living in an unsocialized or wild state; they are one or more generations removed from a home environment. Feral cats may live in a group or "colony", usually in an area where they find food and shelter.

"Free-roaming" cats are those that are not necessarily considered to be feral, but which frequently roam outdoors and interact with feral cats and wildlife. They may be “outdoor cats” with a specific owner, stray pets, feral, or may have originated in one household and are now fed or cared for by other households in the neighborhood.

Given the relatively high rate of spaying and neutering of owned cats, free-roaming cats are the primary source of cats turned in to animal pounds and shelters. It is estimated that the number of free-roaming cats in the United States may be equal to that of owned cats, approximately 70 million. If they are provided with food and not spayed or neutered, free-roaming cats will breed and their populations increase at locations where they find suitable food and water, resulting in environmental/property damage, and public nuisance. Free-roaming cats will hunt and kill birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish resulting in wildlife mortality.

Free-roaming cats also pose a low but important threat to human health. Zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people) include rabies, toxoplasmosis, ringworm, cat scratch disease and many other diseases. Human injuries (bites and scratches) often occur if feral cats are handled without proper precautions.

The solution to the free-roaming and feral cat situation is multifaceted and includes:

Public education to prevent abandonment of cats and to encourage responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, keeping cats indoors, and preventing or solving behavior problems leading to abandonment,

Prohibiting the feeding and abandonment of free-roaming cats outside of managed cat colonies.

Managed cat colonies require designated caretakers and a group of dependable volunteers to care for the animals on a regular basis. Spaying and neutering the cats will stabilize the population of the colony, and the colony size will eventually be reduced through attrition. Any cats which may be newly abandoned or dropped off should be transported to the nearest animal shelter for holding and potential adoption or claiming by owners. Cats that appear ill or injured should be captured and given medical treatment. Colonies must be established in cooperation with the Health Officer, animal control and public health agency, wildlife organizations, humane groups and veterinarians. Colonies should not be established in areas where at-risk wildlife populations could be threatened or where they may pose a nuisance or zoonotic disease risk to the public. The operation of the colony must comply with all State and local laws, rules and ordinances and receive landowner permission.

Trap, neuter and return (TNR) is the non-lethal population control technique utilized in managed cat colonies to humanely capture, vaccinate, identify, and spay or neuter (sterilize) cats. Kittens and cats that are tame enough to be adopted should be sterilized and placed into homes. Adult cats not suitable for adoption are returned to the colony where they live out their lives under the supervision of the colony caretakers and other community volunteers. Cats will need to be re-trapped periodically to update their vaccinations and receive medical care.

The NJDOH defers to local officials to determine the appropriateness of allowing a managed cat colony at a site within a municipality. Municipalities considering managed cat colonies are encouraged to develop standards through ordinance or their regulatory authority to insure these recommendations are developed in a manner that provides an organized community program with proper accountability and oversight by the Health Officer.

State Law and managed cat colonies/ impounding cats: Cats are considered a domestic animal species and are therefore protected under the State's animal cruelty and animal control statutes. With respect to State statutes regarding the impounding of stray animals (N.J.S.A. 4:19- 15.16), a managed cat colony as described above may be considered to be ‘on the property of the owner' by animal control and thus not falling under the category of stray animals (those off the premises of the owner) to be impounded. However, if cats maintained in managed colonies begin to create a nuisance or public health threat, the colony caregivers would be responsible to resolve the issues with animal control and the local health department.

Free-roaming cats outside of properly managed colonies would be considered ‘stray’ and be eligible for impoundment by the animal control officer. When an animal control officer is trapping or removing stray cats, it is highly recommended that they notify neighbors and ask that they keep their cats inside during the trapping period, or ensure their cat's identification with a collar or a name band. Additionally, the telephone number of the animal control officer and/or the holding facility should be provided for nearby cat owners to call if their animals are missing after the trapping.

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